Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the SEND and inclusion training materials published on 24 September 2026, whether (a) the speech, language and communication module and (b) the social and emotional module scheduled for January 2027 contain or will contain specific guidance on identifying and supporting children with selective mutism; which specialists in selective mutism have contributed to those materials; and what equivalent training is planned for early years practitioners.

The special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and inclusion in-house training materials, published in September, are the first part of a wider programme of SEND professional development being rolled out over the next two years. Along with the introduction of the National Inclusion Standards and the Experts at Hand programme, the SEND professional development programme will support staff to deliver a more inclusive mainstream environment.

The materials support staff to understand how high-quality, inclusive teaching approaches and classroom techniques can support a range of needs, including those with selective mutism. The materials have been developed with sector experts, practitioners and professional development leads. The department will continue to gather feedback to inform and improve future materials.

A new SEND training offer for early years is also live, providing new online training to help all early years practitioners strengthen inclusive practice and better support children with SEND.